Mondelez International Reports Strong Progress in Cocoa Life Sustainability Program
- Program reached 76,700 cocoa farmers in nearly 800 communities
- Company sourced 21% of cocoa sustainably by year-end 2015
- Ghana farmer income increased 49% and cocoa yield increased 37% in Cocoa Life communities
DEERFIELD, Ill., Feb. 23, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Mondelēz International (NASDAQ:MDLZ) published the first progress report on its Cocoa Life sustainability program, which highlights the wide-ranging impact and efforts to date across its six cocoa-growing origins: Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Indonesia, Dominican Republic, India and Brazil. Since its inception in 2012 to the end of 2015, Cocoa Life reached 76,700 farmers in over 795 communities, establishing a strong foundation and framework for the program.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f598ec5d-71e9-40b5-bf8d-b947c2a16868
The report provides measurement data from Cocoa Life's first impact evaluation in Ghana, where Cocoa Life began as the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership. Initial results show Cocoa Life farmers' incomes tripled since 2009, which is 49 percent more than control communities measured. Likewise, cocoa yield increased 37 percent more than the control communities. The report also includes data from a needs assessment of the five regions where Cocoa Life is in place in Côte d'Ivoire and an Indonesia baseline assessment, which identifies key areas that will be targeted and measured for improvement.
"This progress report brings together the voices of people in cocoa communities across all our origins and demonstrates how the program is working together with local governments, our suppliers and partners to build lasting change on the ground," said Cathy Pieters, Cocoa Life Program Director. "Cocoa Life integrates the work of our stakeholders to achieve common goals in ways that are relevant and tailored to Cocoa Life farming communities around the world."
As the world's largest chocolate company and buyer of cocoa, Mondelēz International is committed to ensuring a sustainable cocoa supply chain. Today, 21 percent of the company's cocoa is sustainably sourced and brands such as Côte d'Or and Marabou are now displaying the Cocoa Life logo. Cocoa Life is a long-term $400 million investment to empower 200,000 cocoa farmers and reach over one million community members by 2022.
"I'm proud of our Cocoa Life program and the transformative impact we are having on our cocoa supply chain and the communities we source cocoa from, as shown in this report," said César Melo, President, Global Chocolate, Mondelēz International. "Cocoa Life connects the beginning and end of the cocoa supply chain so farmers can see how their cocoa crop contributes to the chocolate we enjoy. As Cocoa Life grows and expands its reach, we will continue to be transparent about our measures for success and key learnings, and share the progress we are making against our goals."
Cocoa Life is a part of Mondelēz International's Call For Well-being, a call to action focused on four areas that are critical to the well-being of the world and where the company can make the greatest impact: Sustainability, Well-being, Communities, and Safety.
For the full progress report, please visit: http://bit.ly/1Oji9y1
About Cocoa Life
Cocoa Life aims to reach more than 200,000 farmers across six countries, benefitting more than a million people. Mondelēz International's ultimate goal is to sustainably source all the company's cocoa supply, mainly via Cocoa Life. By working in partnership with farmers, NGOs, suppliers and government institutions, Cocoa Life answers Mondelēz International's Call For Well-being, which urges employees, suppliers and community partners to join together to develop new approaches that can have a positive impact on the planet and its people. The Call For Well-being focuses on four key areas where the company can make the greatest impact: mindful snacking, sustainability, community and safety. Follow our progress at www.cocoalife.org/progress.
About Mondelēz International
Mondelēz International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDLZ) is a global snacking powerhouse, with 2015 net revenues of approximately $30 billion. Creating delicious moments of joy in 165 countries, Mondelēz International is a world leader in biscuits, chocolate, gum, candy and powdered beverages, with billion-dollar brands such as Oreo, LU and Nabisco biscuits; Cadbury, Cadbury Dairy Milk and Milka chocolate; and Trident gum. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor's 500, NASDAQ 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDLZ.
Michael Mitchell +1-847-943-5678 news@mdlz.com Virginie Mahin +41 79 330 7295 media.europe@mdlz.com